Attachment 6 - Ecological Assessment

Ecological Assessment Report v1                                                      NCES REF: J000542
Lot 9 on RP225312 – 100 Cooyar Street, Noosa Heads




6.2      State Government

6.2.1     Remnant Regional Ecosystems
The Vegetation Management Supporting Map identifies that Category C & R remnant vegetation is
present within the site. Schedule 10, Part 3, Division 4, Table 2 of the Planning Regulation 2017
requires any reconfiguration of a lot or MCU application that is assessable development under
section 21, which includes an allotment which is 5ha or larger, to be referred to SARA for assessment
against SDAP State Code 16 - Native vegetation clearing.
The site measures <5ha, no further assessment is required.

6.2.2     Nature Conservation (Koala) Conservation Plan 2017 and SDAP State Code 25
          Development in South East Queensland koala habitat areas
The SEQ Koala Conservation Strategy Koala Habitat Mapping identifies that the site occurs outside
of a Koala Priority Area but does contain Koala Habitat Area (locally refined) in its northern and
southern corners (refer section 3.4). The proposed development footprint intercepts approximately
427m2 of the mapped KHA area, noting that the impacted mapped area currently exhibits no koala
habitat trees.
The proposed impact to KHA is considered exempt development under Item K of the Exempted
Development definition contained within Schedule 24 of the Planning Regulation 2017 which allows
for a one-off clearing exemption of up to 500m² of mapped KHA but can also be undertaken for
exempt bushfire management purposes under Schedule 6 of the Planning Regulation to protect the
existing building (which has recently occurred). No additional clearing is now deemed necessary for
fire protection hence the application does not require referral to SARA for assessment against State
Code 25. No further assessment is required.

Nature Conservation Act 1992
6.2.2.1 Protected Plants Flora Survey Trigger Map
The Protected Plants Flora Survey Trigger Map identifies that the vegetation contained within the
northern and southern corners of the site are mapped as a ‘high risk area’ prescribed under the
Nature Conservation (Plants) Regulation 2020. No conservation significant species were observed
within the proposed impact area (proposed southern extension) and given current conditions within
the area (i.e., low density of she-oaks over mulch understorey) are not expected to be present.
Further vegetation clearing may be required in the mapped High-risk Area however can be legally
carried for exempt bushfire management purposes to protect the existing building pursuant to
Schedule 6 of the Planning Regulation.
6.2.2.2 Fauna
Provision of a suitably qualified and experienced fauna spotter/catcher is necessary during all
vegetation clearing activities to satisfy the duty of care obligations under the NC Act.
Note where active breeding habitat for least concern native fauna is observed, the applicant will be
required to comply with DES’s Species Management Program – low risk of impacts. Where active
breeding habitat for Conservation Significant fauna is observed, the applicant will be required to
prepare and submit a DES compliant Species Management Program – High risk of impacts for
approval prior to clearing commencing.

6.3      Commonwealth Government
VC1 confirms to the definition of the ‘Endangered’ Coastal Swamp Sclerophyll Forest of New South
Wales and South East Queensland Threatened Ecological Community (TEC). The vegetation
clearing associated with Stage 1 of the development is located approximately >200m from the
identified TEC. Therefore, no further assessment is required.




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